God of War dev's new IP has been officially canned

The developer behind the God of War franchise has revealed that its new IP has been cancelled after more than three years of development.

Speaking on Twitter (via VideoGamer), Jonathan Hawkin, former lead level designer at Sony Santa Monica Studio, lamented the project’s cancellation, stating it was “going to be bad ass.”

“Yesterday, I was laid off. It was a good 10 year run & I got to make three 90+ games. I lived the dream & got to accomplish all of my goals. Except one… making something out of nothing & creating a new AAA IP," he said.

“The saddest part of waking up today is I no longer get to work with my family. Secondly, the pain that I feel for my friends who have lost their jobs. The saddest & most important part is the game I was creating for the player that will never be played. I’m sorry that I’ve failed you.”

Santa Monica’s new IP was apparently going to take the form of a sci-fi adventure headed by Stig Asmusson, who directed God of War III.

Earlier this week it was confirmed that the California-based developer was hit by a number of layoffs.

How do you feel about the cancellation of Santa Monica’s new IP? Sound off in the comments section below.